Kravan Temple

Prasat Kravan (Khmer: ប្រាសាទក្រវាន់) is a 10th-century temple constructed in the era of Harshavarman I (reign circa 910-922 AD) consisting of five brick towers. The temple was dedicated to Vishnu in 921 AD, according to the inscription. It’s a site that is often skipped, which is a shame, as the style of bas-relief carvings here are quite unique as the only other brick temple with inner bas-reliefs in Cambodia would be Preaus Meas (Phnom Trap).

The temple is oriented to the east and surrounded by a small moat (often dry) and preceded by a terrace or the remnant of an entrance gopura and the base of a small satellite building opening to the west and facing the five towers.

The five towers are built atop a common terrace with the central tower being the tallest of all and the most complete of the group. Each tower had its own entrance steps which were all likely flanked by stone guardian lions, some of which remain in situ.

Focusing on the central tower, it features reliefs of Dvarapala flanking its east entrance above which you’ll see some of its original decorative reliefs. False doors are formed in the brickwork around its other sides. The tower rises up with at least four false levels reducing in size. On these false levels, if you look closely, you can see further relief carvings. The doorway is made from sandstone and features an inscription carved into its doorjambs, along with being flanked by ornately decorated columns and topped by a lintel depicting a series of horsemen in the lower foliage, an upper frieze of worshippers, with the remainder in decay. Inside, the stunning carvings as described further below.

As noted further below, the northmost tower also features inner reliefs while the other three towers are bare. The southern tower features the best-preserved lintel, featuring a depiction of Vishnu riding Garuda. One tower features a pedestal flanked by sema stone indicating the site may have been in use in the late/post-Angkor era under Theravada Buddhism also noting the building/terrace of which only its base remains on the southeast side.

Inner Bas-reliefs

The bas-reliefs on the interior walls of the central tower are representations of Vishnu. There are three in all:

• Four-armed Vishnu sits astride his vehicle Garuda and holding the globe, the conch, the discus, and the baton.
• Four-armed Vishnu takes a large step. This image illustrates the story of Vishnu in his incarnation as Vamana the dwarf taking three great steps to reclaim the world from the asura Bali.
• Eight-armed Vishnu surrounded by hundreds of tiny devotees and surmounted by a crocodile or a lizard.

The interior walls of the northernmost tower feature a pair of bas-reliefs of Lakshmi

• a goddess holds the trident of Shiva and the discus of Vishnu.
• Lakshmi holding lotuses.

Visiting Prasat Kravan

Being so close to the road, and on flat ground, this is a quick and easy temple site to visit and its uniqueness and bas-reliefs make it very worthwhile. The site is open from 7.30 am to 5.30 pm and you can spend 15-20 mins here. There is a drink stall at the entrance and the temple is part of the Small Circuit. It’s required to have an Angkor Pass.

Historical Images

Images below are property of EFEO and more can be viewed at Fonds Cambodge

Inscriptions

• K. 269 – south tower doorjamb – 13 lines of Khmer Text – IC IV, p. 74
• K. 270 – central tower doorjambs – Khmer + Sanskrit – IC IV, p. 68
• K. 271 – north tower doorjamb – Khmer – IC IV, p. 75